Fluid mixer/charger and method

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid mixer/charger includes an inlet for receiving input flowing fluid, the inlet including a flow directing portion for directing fluid in the first directional flow path, an outlet positioned to receive fluid flowing from the inlet to direct the fluid along a second directional flow path different from the first one, and a charging device for applying or removing electrical charge with respect to fluid during flow by at least one of the inlet and outlet. The invention functions as an electric capacitor with a fixed bleed rate to charge fluid. According to an additional aspect, a method of mixing and charging of fluid includes directing a fluid through a mixer/charger device, including receiving an input fluid, directing the input fluid along a flow path defined at least in part by at least partially electrically conductive members, at least once during flow of fluid along the flow path changing the direction of fluid flow and the number of streams in which such fluid flows, and applying or removing an electrical charge with respect to the fluid flowing through the mixer/charger.

This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 645,809 filedon Aug. 29, 1984, and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,254.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally, as indicated, to a mixer and chargerfor fluid material and to a method for mixing and charging fluidmaterial, and, more particularly, to apparatus and method forsimultaneously mixing and charging a fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the fluid mixing art there are various devices to effect mixing ofone or more fluids. Some mixers require movable mixing elements, such asblades or propellers, and motors for moving such mixing elements toeffect mixing of fluid in a container or flowing therethrough. Amotionless mixer is another type of mixer which does not ordinarilyrequire a separate power or energy input to effect the desired fluidmixing because the mixer itself does not have externally powered movablemixing elements. Examples of motionless mixers are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,259,021 and 4,329,067, the entire disclosures of whichhereby are incorporated by reference.

Mixing occurs in motionless mixers, for example of the type disclosed insuch patents, in response to the flow of fluid through the mixer. In themixers of such patents a quantity of fluid is divided into plural flowstreams; the locations of respective streams is altered; the streams arepermitted to mix in a generally turbulent manner; and the processpreferably is repeated. To effect the desired formation and subsequentmixing of such streams, for example formed during use of such motionlessmixers, two plate-like or disc-like members may be used--one separatesthe fluid into multiple streams and the other directs the streams forrecombination thereof.

As used herein, a charged fluid means a fluid that has an excess of or adepletion of electrons, this relative to the normal or usual freelyoccurring uncharged state of such fluid. For example, charged air may beair that has an excess of electrons, and charged water, mist or watervapor likewise may have an excess of electrons; similarly such chargedfluid may be such that it has a dearth of electrons relative to thenormal, freely occurring state thereof. Examples of use of such chargedfluids are presented in copending, concurrently filed, commonly assignedU.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 645,841 for "Charged Fluid ReactionControl" and 645,810 for "Particulates Generation and Renewal", and nowU.S. Pat. No. 4,684,061 the entire disclosure of which hereby areincorporated by reference.

In this disclosure the following convention is used: Reference to andillustration in the drawings of a negative or minus sign ("-"), isintended to mean a source of electrons or an excess of electrons, e.g.from the positive terminal of a battery; similarly, use of a positive orplus sign ("+"), is intended to mean a dearth of electrons and a sourceof relatively lower electric potential such that electrons from a sourcewould tend to try to flow from the source to the lower electricalpotential, e.g. the ground or negative terminal of a battery. Caution isurged to avoid confusion by such convention with the usual convention inelectrical engineering, electronics and physics in which the positiveterminal of an electrical power source, for example, is that from whichcurrent flow emanates. Rather, in the present invention, concernprimarily is for the source or dearth of electrons and not for theactual electrical polarity.

Prior charging mechanisms for fluids have been relatively inefficient.Such prior systems have included point discharge devices in whichelectrons are discharged into a fluid, such as an air flow, but arelatively poor distribution of the charge is effected in such systems.In water systems wherein it is desired to charge water flowing past thecharging device, point discharge devices tend to encounter short arcing.Moreover, in the past, various fluid charging devices have not beeneffective mixers, and if it was desired to effect mixing first andsubsequent charging of the fluid, relatively high current supply wasrequired. According to the present invention, though, mixing andcharging occur simultaneously and, additionally, it has been found thata relatively low power supply requirement is needed. The degree ofdifficulty of charging a fluid increases as the distance of the fluidfrom the actual charging device, such as an electrode, increases. Itwould be desirable, and is accomplished according to the presentinvention, to effect simultaneous mixing and charging in a way that thedistance between the fluid and the source of charge, such as the sourceof electrons during at least part of the time of operation of thedevice, is minimized; and substantially all fluid encounters at leastsome flow in close proximity to the electrode(s), thereby reducing powerrequirements and increasing efficiency of charging.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention fluid is mixed and chargedsimultaneously during flow through a mixer/charger device.

According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid mixer/charger includesan inlet for receiving input flowing fluid, the inlet including a flowdirecting portion for directing fluid in the first directional flowpath, an outlet positioned to receive fluid flowing from the inlet todirect the fluid along a second directional flow path different from thefirst one, and a charging device for applying or removing electricalcharge with respect to fluid during flow by at least one of the inletand outlet. The invention functions as an electric capacitor with afixed bleed rate to charge fluid.

According to another aspect, a fluid mixing and charging device includesan inlet to receive an input flowing fluid, an outlet positioned toreceive fluid flowing from the inlet to direct an output flowing fluid,the inlet and outlet including cooperative portions for dividing atleast one stream of fluid into plural streams and for at least oncechanging at least one of the relative flow direction and relativelocation of at least part of one of the streams, and a charge couplingdevice to couple or to remove an electrical charge with respect to atleast one of the inlet and outlet to affect the charge of fluid flowingin the device.

According to an additional aspect, a method of mixing and charging afluid includes directing a fluid through a mixer/charger device,including receiving an input fluid, directing the input fluid along aflow path defined at least in part by at least partially electricallyconductive members, at least once during flow of fluid along the flowpath changing the direction of fluid flow and the number of streams inwhich such fluid flows, and applying or removing an electrical chargewith respect to the fluid flowing through the mixer/charger.

Exemplary objects of the invention include, but are not limited, to thefollowing:

One object is effectively to apply electrical charge, either by addingor by removing electrons, of a fluid or fluid-like material.

Another object is to maximize the time that a fluid or fluid-likematerial remains charged.

An additional object is to minimize the electrical power requirementsfor effecting electrical charging of a fluid or fluid-like material.

A further object is to minimize the electrical current requirements foreffecting electrical charging of a fluid or fluid-like material.

Still another object is substantially uniformly to apply and/or tomaintain such electrical charge of a fluid or fluid-like material.

Still an additional object is to minimize electrical short circuiting ina fluid charging device.

Still a further object is to maximize longevity of a fluid chargingdevice.

Even another object is to minimize boundary layer and dead spots in afluid charging device.

Even an additional object is to increase concentration of chargeavailable for application to a fluid to charge the same in a fluidcharging device.

Even a further object is to minimize the cost for a fluid chargingdevice.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described in thespecification and particularly pointed out in the claims, the followingdescription and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certainillustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative,however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of theinvention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view, partly in section, of a mixer/chargerdevice according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are respective plan views, some partly in section,looking generally in the direction of the respective section lines shownin FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic illustrations of charge distribution andflow in a mixer/charger device according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a representative illustration of a multiple opening discemployed in the mixer/charger device of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram depicting use of a mixer/chargerdevice according to the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of disc useful in themixer/charger device of the invention to form multiple flow streams.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsdesignate like parts in the several figures, and initially to FIGS. 1-5,a mixer/charger device in accordance with the preferred embodiment andbest mode of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. Themixer/charger 10 includes a fluid inlet 11 for receiving a flow of fluidfrom an external source, a plurality of disc-like or plate-like members12,13 each being generally fluid impermeable and each having one or morefluid passing openings therethrough, such as those shown at 14, 15, aholder mechanism generally indicated at 16 for holding discs 12, 13 inrelative position for directing the flow of fluid through the device 10(the discs and holder mechanism preferably forming an overall fluid flowpath through container 17), and a fluid outlet 18 for directing orcoupling fluid from the mixer/charger device 10 as a fluid outputtherefrom. Preferably the discs 12, 13 are electrically conductive, forexample being formed of copper, aluminum or other electricallyconductive material, and electrical leads 20, 21 couple such discs to asource of electric energy or electric power 22, for example such as a DCbattery, a DC power supply, or any other electrical supply, as may bedesired to apply an electric potential across a pair of discs 12, 13 tosupply a source of electrons or to remove electrons with respect tofluid flowing through the mixer/charger device 10.

The holder mechanism 16 includes a retainer ring 23 preferably ofelectrically nonconductive material, which supports the disc 12; aninsulator ring/cover 24, which holds the disc 13 and also provideselectrical insulation for preferably the entire disc; and a fastener 25,such as a bolt, nut, washer, etc. assembly for example of the typeillustrated. It is the purpose of the holder mechanism 16 to cooperatewith the discs 12, 13 and with the fluid inlet 11 and fluid outlet 18 toform the container 17 that preferably has substantial fluid-tightintegrity to prevent leakage of fluid therefrom while fluid is permittedto flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. As is described ingreater detail below, it is preferable that the flow of fluid throughthe mixer/charger 10 be substantially unimpeded, although the directionof fluid flow may vary in the device and although the fluid flow may bedivided into multiple streams and recombined into a fewer or into onesingle stream during flow through the mixer/charger 10. By minimizingflow impedance in the mixer/charger 10, dead spots, i.e. spots wherefluid tends to stagnate in the device while fluid flows at otherportions, and boundary layer formation, both of which would tend toreduce the mixing effectiveness and/or charging effectiveness of themixer/charger 10, preferbly are minimized.

According to fluid flow operation of the mixer/charger 10, an upstreamone of the discs 12, 13 provides or serves as an inlet to the nextdownstream disc. Moreover, one of a pair of discs 12, 13 has a differentnumber of openings therethrough than the other of the discs 12, 13 sothat as fluid flows through one disc and then through the nextdownstream disc, the number of streams of which overall fluid flow iscomposed changes. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the most upstream disc12 has a single opening therethrough and the next downstream disc 13 hasa plurality of openings therethrough. Moreover, to minimize impedingfluid flow through the mixer/charger 10, to avoid dead spots, and toavoid boundary layer formation and detriment vis-a-vis application ofcharge to fluid flowing through the mixer/charger, the approximate totalarea of the single opening and the sum of the total areas of themultiple openings in each of the discs are the same. Reference to areahere is intended to mean the approximate area across an opening or thesum of the areas across each of the openings through a multiple openingdisc, such area being taken approximately in a plane that is normal tothe general direction of flow of fluid through such opening.

Further, it is preferred that the openings in respective relativelyadjacent discs, such as the pair of discs 12, 13 that immediately followeach other in the mixer/charger 10 of FIG. 1, have respective openingsthat are relatively offset from each other. Accordingly, the opening 14in the disc 12 seen in FIG. 1 is approximately at the center of the disc12 generally along the linear flow axis 26 drawn longitudinally throughthe mixer/charger 10; and the openings 15 through the disc 13 are at adifferent radial location relative to the axis 26 offset from the same.Such offset or staggered relationship of the openings 14, 15 enables theopenings themselves and the plates in which they are formed to effect achange in the directional flow of the fluid through the mixer/chargerpreferably also as the number of streams in which the fluid flowschanges from plate to plate.

Accordingly, during the flow of fluid through the mixer/charger 10 ofFIG. 1, an input supply of fluid is provided at 30 from a supply (notshown), and such fluid flows through the fluid inlet 11. The fluidfollows along a flow path represented by the line 31 through the opening14 in the disc 12. On flowing through the opening 14, the fluid flowchanges direction from one generally parallel to the axis 26 to onegenerally normal to the axis 26. Moreover, during the course of suchchange in direction, a turbulent mixing of fluid occurs at the area 32.The flow stream then changes direction again to one of the openings 15in the next downstream disc 13; the fluid passes through such opening 15and again changes direction as it encounters the impermeable surface ofthe next downstream disc 12 and then flows toward the opening 14 thereinencountering further mixing. Thus, fluid flow along the path 31 resultsin the dividing and recombining of flow streams, turbulent mixing, anddirectional changes of fluid flow, all of which cooperate to ensure ahighly effective mixing of the fluid. Ultimately, the fluid exits thefluid outlet 18 as an exit flow 33 for subsequent use downstream of themixer/charger 10.

Briefly referring to FIG. 8, an illustration of a disc 13 employed inthe mixer/charger 10 of FIG. 1 is shown with a depiction of the generaldirection of fluid flow across the disc 13. What appears to occur duringthe flow of fluid through the mixer/charger 10, in particular when thefluid is directed at area 32 (FIG. 1), is a turbulent impingement andmixing of the fluid. Area 40 in FIG. 8 represents the appearance of adisc 13 (such disc having been used in a motionless mixer of the presentinvention without the protective insulator ring/cover 24) and depictssuch fluid flow condition at area 32 (FIG. 1). Moreover, on such a disc13 (FIG. 8) there are formed (when employed in a motionless mixer of themixer/charger 10 type device but without the insulator ring/cover 24)generally direct paths or tracks 41 from the area or zone 40 to therespective openings 15 through the disc. From the appearance of such adisc 13 (FIG. 8) after use of such disc it appears that an approximatelyequal amount of fluid tends to flow through each of the openings 15 toassure a generally balanced flow of fluid through the overall motionlessmixer. Moreover, it is evident that a generally maximum amount of wipingor running of the fluid directly or substantially directly in engagementwith the surface 42 of the disc 13 tends to occur; and such wiping isuseful to effect the imparting of charge, such as the adding or removingof electrons, with respect to the fluid as it flows across or by thescrubbing of the fluid across the other surface of the disc 13 (not seenin Fig. 8) and preferably also against opposite surfaces of the discs 12employed in the mixer/charger 10 also preferably would occur to enhancethe fluid charging function of the mixer/charger, as is described infurther detail below.

The arrangement of the retainer ring 23 and insulator ring/cover 24(FIG. 1) provides the functions of holding the respective discs 12, 13in appropriate positions in the mixer/charger 10 for effecting thedesired fluid flow, mixing and charging functions and preferably also ofcompleting the fluid-tight integrity of the mixer/charger 10 forming thecontainer 17. Preferably the retainer ring 23 is an electricalnonconductor, such as plastic material, and preferably the insulatorring/cover 24 also is of electrically nonconductive material. Examplesof the insulator ring/cover 24 may include Mylar polymer or vinyl, bothmaterials available as a sheet of material having an adhesive materialon one surface to fasten the same to a disc 13 sandwiching the discbetween respective sheets of such insulator. Preferably also the holes15 in the disc 13 are fully insulated so that the actual passage throughsuch holes or openings 15 are effected via overall passages 43 formedthrough the insulator. The purpose of the insulator is described infurther detail below. One or both of the retainer ring 23 and insulatorring/cover 24 may include additional relatively rigid portions thatcooperate with each other and with the fastener 25 to form the container17 of the mixer/charger 10.

To effect application of electrons to fluid flowing through themixer/charger 10 or to remove electrons from such fluid, electricalpower is provided from the supply 22 across respective pairs of discs12, 13. Thus, for example, an electric potential may be connected vialeads 20, 21 to one or more pairs of relatively adjacent discs 12, 13,as is seen in FIG. 1, for example. Application of charge to a fluidflowing through a mixer/charger 10 according to the invention wasachieved using a voltage applied across a pair of relatively adjacentdiscs 12, 13 in the range of from greater than 0 to approximately 25,000volts with a current flow in the milliamp range. Satisfactory chargingof air flowing through the mixer/charger device 10 at a rate ofapproximately 1/2 cubic foot per minute was accomplished using suchelectrical energy levels. Such charging may be the application ofelectrons to the air, for example by providing a source of electrons orsupply of electrons to the disc 12 while the insulated disc 13 ismaintained at a relatively lower electric potential. Alternatively, thepolarity could be reversed whereby a supply of electrons would beprovided the insulated disc 13 while the disc 12 was at a relativelylower electric potential; in this case electrons essentially are removedfrom the fluid. Thus, according to the invention, reference to chargingof fluid may refer equivalently to the application of electrons or theremoval of electrons with respect to the fluid.

The mixer/charger 10 functions in a sense as a capacitor whereby therelatively adjacent discs 12, 13, for example, form the opposite platesof the capacitor, and the dielectric constant of the capacitor may be afunction of the dielectric constant of the insulator ring/cover 24 andthe dielectric constant of the fluid between adjacent discs. Thus, ifthe fluid were air, the mixer/charger 10 would function like an aircapacitor. Such capacitor according to the invention, then, is providedwith a controlled bleed of electric charge, and such bleed may be afunction of the aforementioned dielectric constant values, of the usualparameters, such as capacitor plate size, temperature, voltage and/orcurrent values, etc., and such controlled bleed may also be a functionof the flow rate of fluid through the mixer/charger 10. The flow rateand/or mixing may alter the effective distribution of charge in thefluid, the wiping or scrubbing action of the fluid against respectivediscs and/or the insulator ring/cover 24 surface(s), etc. As the fluidmixes during flow, charge tends to be distributed through the fluidthereby helping to maximize the overall charging as the fluid flowsacross and through respective discs. As the area of the openings 14 andthe sum of the areas of the openings 15 in respective discs isapproximately the same, dead spots and boundary layers will be minimizedand preferably avoided in total so as to maximize the continuing flow offluid through the mixer/charger, distribution of charge in the fluid,wiping action of the fluid against respective discs, etc.

It is noted here that although reference to wiping of a disc, such asdisc 13, may be stated herein, in the event such disc is protected by aninsulator ring/cover 24, for example as is shown in FIG. 1, suchreferral indicates wiping action against the exposed surface area of theinsulator ring/cover 24. In any event, as the fluid wipes across orscrubs over respective discs, charge is transferred or removed withrespect to the fluid, i.e. electrons are added or removed with respectto the fluid. Additionally, since there is a relatively large surfacearea available in the mixer/charger 10 for such charge transfer, agreater concentration of charge and transfer thereof to fluid flowingthrough the mixer/charger can be accomplished than was heretoforepossible in prior art devices.

After a fluid has been charged in the mixer/charger 10, it may bedesirable to maintain such charge for a maximum period of time. For suchpurposes, it is desirable that the fluid outlet 18 be of an electricallynoncondutive material that tends not to dissipate, to bleed, to ground,or otherwise to effect the charge of the fluid 33 as the same passesthrough the fluid outlet 18. It also may be desired to form the fluidinlet 11 of material simialr to that of which the fluid outlet 18 ismade in order to avoid pre-charging or pre-affecting the charge of thefluid input 30; alternatively, in order to help neutralize anypre-existing charge on the input fluid 30, it may be desired to selectthe fluid inlet 11 to be of a material that is electrically conductiveand does in fact tend to neutralize pre-existing charge. Furthermore, ifdesired, the container 17 may include an additional housing (not shown)surrounding those portions of the mixer/charger 10 illustrated in FIG. 1for further fluid-tight integrity thereof, electrical isolation thereof,thermal insulation thereof, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 6, three representative discs 12, 13 are illustratedcoupled by respective leads 20, 21 to an electrical supply. The discs 12are shown having a source or excess supply of electrons (represented byminus signs) and the disc 13 is shown having a dearth of electrons, i.e.being at a relatively lower relative electric potential (withrepresentation thereof being shown by the plus signs 51 on both sidesthereof). Arrows 52 represent the tendency of electrons to flow from thesource thereof toward the source of relatively lower electric potential.Due to such tendency of electron flow represented by arrows 52, the edge53 circumscribing the center opening 14 in each disc 12 tends to becomean area of rather high electrical stress, this in particular when thediscs 12 have the source of electrons. (Such discs 12 may be consideredelectrically, i.e. in conventional electrical engineering terms, as thepositive plate and the disc 13 may be considered the ground plate orrelatively negative plate in such circumstances, according to ordinaryconvention.)

The retainer ring 23 and insulator ring/cover 24 space relativelyadjaent discs 12, 13 in such way as to provide adequate space for flowof fluid therebetween and also provide for electrical insulation betweenrelatively adjacent discs. In order to avoid break down of theinsulation due to the aforementioned high stress concentration about theedge 53 of the opening 14 in the disc 12, it is, accordingly, preferableto provide full insulation about the disc 13 rather than about the disc12. If the insulation would not break down or if the voltage and stressconcentration, in particular, at the area 53 would not effect break downof the insulation, then it would be possible to employ insulation, suchas the insulator ring/cover 24, with respect to the disc 12 instead ofwith the disc 13. According to the preferred embodiment and best mode ofthe invention, it is desirable to insulate that disc 12 or 13 which isdeficient in electrons to minimize insulation break down. In this case,especially when there is a high electrical stress at the large opening14 due to electron concentration there, such stress, the flow ofelectrons from such area 53 toward the other disc, and the directwiping, contact, engagement, and flow-by of fluid with respect to thehigh stress concentration area 53 and the overall surface of disc 12maximizes charging efficiency of the fluid.

Another important advantage of insulating the disc 13, especially whenthe disc 12 has a supply of electrons thereon during use of themixer/charger 10, e.g. to charge air or other fluid flowing through themixer/charger, is to prevent the disc 13 from discharging the flowingfluid. Accordingly, the electrons on disc 12 will tend to charge thefluid, and the insulation effected by the insulator ring/cover 24 on thedisc 13 tends to minimize the possibility of any removal of electonsfrom the fluid flowing therepast and therethrough. To maximize chargingof a fluid flowing through a mixer/charger 10, especially if the fluidwere air, it is desirable that the disc 12 provides the source ofelectrons and that the disc 13 be electrically insulated in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 1.

However, it is noted that if it were desired for other reasons to do so,the disc 12 could be insulated and the disc 13 could be exposedsubstantially fully to the fluid flowing thereacross and therethrough,even though the disc 12 would be provided with a source of electrons,i.e. at a relatively higher electric potential than the disc 13. In thiscase, then, since the disc 12 is the insulated one relative to the fluidflowing thereby and therethrough, and since the disc 13 is at arelatively lower potential, a positive charging, i.e. a removal ofelectrons, of the fluid flowing through the mixer/charger 10 wouldoccur. This effect also can be accomplished simply by reversing thepolarity of the electrical connections to the discs 12, 13 from theelectrical supply 22. Note that for minimum concentration of electricalstress in the mixer/charger, it would be desired that the disc havingthe source of electrons not be the disc having the larger hole 14.

Another way to reduce the effective electrical stress in themixer/charger 10 would be to reverse the polarity of the discs 12, 13,whereby the disc 13 provides the source of electrons and the disc 12provides a lower electric potential. In such case, the stressconcentration proximate the relatively small openings 15 in the disc 13is relatively lower than the stress occurring in the aforementionedexample in which the supply of electrons is found at the area 53 (FIG.6). Indeed, as is illustrated in FIG. 7, since there is a relativelylarge surface area from which electrons tend to leave disc 13 to traveltoward discs 12 in the direction of the arrows 55, there is a relativelylow concentration of stress at the disc 13 compared to that encounteredin the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6. Break down of insulation at thesmall openings 15 did not appear to occur which indicates a lower stressthan in the embodiment in which the disc 12 had the excess or supply ofelectrons.

The mixer/charger according to the invention may be employed to charge avariety of fluids, including, for example, air, water, or other fluids.A fluid source 60 shown in FIG. 9 would be employed to provide fluid tothe mixer/charger 10. An electrical supply 22 would be coupled to themixer/charger 10 to provide an appropriate electrical input. As aresult, a charged fluid 61 would be emitted from the mixer/charger. Suchcharged fluid may be employed, for example, for use in chemicalreactions, for use in providing appropriate ionized fluid, such asionized air which tends to provide a certain feeling of wellbeing whenemitted into an area inhabited by persons, to seed clouds, and so on.

Briefly referring to FIG. 10, a modified illustration of a disc 13'according to the invention is illustated. The disc 13' is generallyfluid impermeable and has a plurality of notches or cut-outs 15' atvarious locations along the perimeter. The notches or cut-outs 15' andthe perimeter of the disc may be employed in connection with a modifiedinsulator ring/cover (not shown) or other casing for mixer/charger todefine flow passages through such notches from one side of the disc 13'to the other side thereof. Accordingly, the disc 13' with such notchescooperating with the casing, etc., would be functional equivalently tothe openings 15 in the disc 13 described in greater detail above.

Moreover, as a further alternate embodiment to the invention, the flutedor other configuration of discs disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S.Pat. No. 4,259,021 may be employed. In such arrangement additional orpossibly different surface area contact, fluid mixing capabilities,etc., may be achieved over and above that achieved using the flat discsof the preferred embodiment and best mode of the present inventiondisclosed in detail herein.

Applicant has discovered that a mixer/charger according to the presentinvention may have an optimum length and an optimum number of discs 12,13 forming respective capacitors therein. Too long a mixer/charger and,accordingly, flow path with too many such plates may result ininefficiency and in some instances may result in a loss of charge of thefluid after a maximum charge already had been developed. Thus, it may benecessary to use a pragmatic approach to determine an optimum length foran optimum fluid to effect the desired charging without discharging thefluid.

In using the mixer/charger of the invention, then, it will beappreciated that a fluid is provided to the mixer/charger. Themixer/charger thoroughly mixes the fluid by changing the number ofstreams in which the fluid is flowing from one or a relatively fewstreams to a relatively larger number of streams while also changing theflow direction of the various streams and enabling a relativelyturbulent mixing of the fluid between and at respective discs.Simultaneously electric charge is applied or removed with respect to thefluid flowing through the mixer/charger.

The discs may be plate-like, fluted, truncated conical, etc. andpreferably are of electrically conductive material, such as copper,aluminum, steel, or the like, preferably being impermeable to fluid flowother than at the distinct openings therethrough. The retaining ring 23and insulator ring/cover 24 preferably are of electrically nonconductivematerial as also preferably is the fluid 11 and fluid outlet 18.

STATEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention may be employed to effect mixing and charging of a fluidflowing therethrough, especially preferably without using external powerfor the mixing function and also while minimizing the amount of powerrequired to effect charging of the fluid.

I claim:
 1. A fluid mixing and charging device, comprisinginlet meansfor receiving an input flowing fluid, outlet means positioned to receivefluid from said inlet means for directing an output flowing fluid, eachof said inlet means and outlet means comprising a plurality of disc-likemembers, said disc-like members being positioned in the device along anoverall flow path thereof to form a plurality of capacitors, one of saiddisc-like membes including opening means therethrough for dividing fluiddirected thereto into a plurality of streams, and the other of saiddisc-like members having a single opening therethrough for recombiningsuch streams for mixing thereof, and charge coupling means coupled tosaid inlet and outlet means for coupling or removing an electricalcharge wiht respect to at least one of said inlet means and outlet meansto affect the charge of fluid flowing in the device.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 comprising electric insulating means for insulatingsubstantially all surfaces of one of said disc-like members.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, said disc-like members comprising respectivegenerally parallel plates of electrically conductive material formingsaid capacitors, said charge coupling means providing a source ofelectrons to one of said disc-like members, and insulating material forelectrically insulating the disc-like member that does not receive suchelectrons from said charge coupling means, and one of said disc-likemembers having a single relatively large opening for passing fluidtherethrough while charging the same and another of said disc-likemembers having a plurality of relatively smaller openings therethroughfor passing fluid therethrough while dividing the same into multiplestreams, and wherein the sum of the areas of the openings in said latterdisc-like member is at least approximately equal to the area of thesingle opening in the former disc-like member.
 4. The device of claim 3,said one disc-like member receiving such electrons having a singlerelatively large opening and said other disc-like member having pluralopenings non-aligned with said large opening.
 5. The device of claim 1,said disc-like members comprising respective generally parallel platesof electrically conductive material forming a capacitor, said chargecoupling means providing a souce of electrons to one of said disc-likemembers, and insulating material for electrically insulating thedisc-like member that does receive such electrons from said chargecoupling means, and one of said disc-like members having a singlerelatively large opening for passing fluid therethrough while chargingthe same and another of said disc-like members having a plurality ofrelatively smaller openings therethrough for passing fluid therethroughwhile dividing the same into multiple streams, and wherein the sum ofthe areas of the openings in said latter disc-like member is at leastapproximately equal to the area of the single opening in the formerdisc-like member.
 6. A method of mixing and charging a fluid,comprisingdirecting a fluid through a mixer/charger device, includingreceiving an input fluid, directing such received fluid along a flowpath defined at least in part by one or more openings in at leastpartially electrically conductive members, at least once during flow offluid along such flow path, changing the direction of fluid flow anddividing said fluid into a plurality of streams by passing it through aplurality of openings in one of said streams and recombining saidstreams by passing them through a single opening in another of saidmembers, and applying or removing an electrical charge with respect tofluid flowing through such mixer/charger.
 7. The fluid mixing andcharging device of claim 1 wherein said single opening has a first area,said opening means comprises plural openings and the individual areas ofsaid plural openings sum to a second area, wherein the relative sizes ofsaid first and second areas minimize impedance to flow of fluid throughsaid mixer/charger.
 8. The fluid mixing and charging device of claim 7wherein said first and second areas are approximately equal to eachother.
 9. The fluid mixing and charging device of claim 1 furtherincluding a container containing said disc-like members and having awall member adjacent the peripheries of said disc-like members, whereinsaid opening means comprises a plurality of peripheral cut-outs in oneof said disc-like members cooperatively forming with said wall member aplurality of openings.
 10. The method of claim 6 including selecting thearea of said single opening relative to the total area of said pluralityof openings to minimize the impedance to the flow of fluid.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 including selecting the area of said single openingto be approximately equal to the total area of said plurality ofopenings.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of saidopening means is notch-like and is cooperative with further means todefine a respective flow passage of a disc-like member.
 13. The deviceof claim 12, further comprising casing means for containing at least oneof said disc-like members, and said further means comprising at least aportion of said casing means.
 14. A fluid mixing and charging device,comprisinginlet means for receiving an input flowing fluid, outlet meanspositioned to receive fluid from said inlet means for directing anoutput flowing fluid, each of said inlet means and outlet meanscomprising a plurality of disc-like members, said disc-like membersbeing positioned in the device along an overall flow path thereof toform a plurality of capacitors, one of said disc-like members includingopening means therethrough for dividing fluid directed thereto into aplurality of streams, and the other of said disc-like members havingopening means therethrough for recombining such streams for mixingthereof, wherein the area of said opening means in respective disc-likemembers is about equal.
 15. The device of claim 14, comprising furthermeans for cooperating with at least one of said opening means to bound aflow passage through a respective disc-like member.
 16. The device ofclaim 15, comprising casing means for containing a plurality of saiddisc-like members.
 17. The device of claim 16, said further meanscomprising a wall of said casing means.